Bose launches $99 wired noise-cancelling earbuds, adds LE Audio to QuietComfort Ultra

Preorders opened Monday through Bose’s online store for $99 in black, white smoke and a limited-edition green called dewdrop mint, according to The Verge. Engadget reported the earbuds are also available for preorder at Best Buy. Bose said in a release that shipments are expected to begin Oct. 15, while its online store said Oct. 13.

Each earbud has two microphones that work with Bose’s QuietControl technology. Users can cycle through Quiet Mode, which reduces surrounding sound; Aware Mode, which boosts it; and ANC Off through a button on the inline remote. The remote also has an additional microphone for phone calls, designed to pick up the user’s voice without being held near the mouth. The earbuds use a 4.2-foot cable with USB-C for smartphones and laptops, support lossless audio with minimal latency, and carry an IPX4 water-resistance rating for sweat, rain and splashes. Bose includes a zippered carrying case, three sizes of silicone eartips and two sizes of stability wings.

ZDNet reported that Bose’s 10.12.12 firmware update for the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) will enter beta this week and can be installed through the Bose app. The update adds Bluetooth LE Audio, enabling Auracast and audio streaming through the LC3 codec. Auracast lets users connect to compatible audio streams in venues such as theaters, churches and stadiums, or share audio from a phone with multiple headphones. LC3 is designed to provide higher-quality audio with lower power consumption than the older SBC codec.

Bose’s release notes restrict LE Audio features to compatible Android and Windows devices, and ZDNet reported that only select Android phones currently support LE Audio, Auracast and LC3. Among premium headphone brands including Apple, Sony, Sennheiser and Sonos, Bose joins only Sony in offering Auracast support, while JBL and Google have adopted Auracast but trail those brands in over-ear headphone performance, according to ZDNet.

The firmware also expands USB-C audio support, including game/chat balance and improved voice performance for web conferencing. Bose said the headphones can use a 48kHz sample rate for the drivers and a 16kHz sample rate for the microphone during gaming or video calls, with 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio streaming. Those upgrades are not supported when wired to a gaming console, only to PCs and mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones. The update also brings 5.1 spatial audio to compatible Android devices. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) already supported Bluetooth 5.4 and Bluetooth Low Energy for auto-low-power and auto-wake features.

In a separate Engadget buying guide, Bose’s 2024 QuietComfort Earbuds were named the best affordable alternative to Apple’s AirPods Pro 3. Engadget reported the wireless earbuds were originally $179 and Bose cut the price to $149 for all seven colors earlier this year. They offer active noise cancellation, up to 8.5 hours of battery life with ANC on, multipoint Bluetooth, an adjustable EQ, hands-free voice control and customizable touch controls, but lack Immersive Audio and CustomTune found on the pricier QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The guide also listed Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, Beats Powerbeats Fit and Anker Soundcore Space A40 as lower-cost alternatives, though those products do not offer the same iPhone integration as AirPods.

Editor's Summary Bose announced the $99 Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, its first wired earbuds since 2015, and a firmware update that adds Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast to the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). The wired model is available for preorder in three colors, with shipping dates differing between Bose’s release and its online store. The firmware update also improves USB-C audio and spatial audio support for compatible devices.